Copyright
©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15, 2014; 5(4): 384-391
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.384
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.384
Use of probiotics in the fight against Helicobacter pylori
Paolo Ruggiero, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Research Center, I-53100 Siena, Italy
Author contributions: Ruggiero P conceived the paper, performed the literature search, and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Paolo Ruggiero, MSc, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Research Center, Via Fiorentina 1, I-53100, Siena, Italy. paolo.ruggiero@novartis.com
Telephone: +39-0577-539320 Fax: +39-0577-539314
Received: January 29, 2014
Revised: March 19, 2014
Accepted: July 15, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Processing time: 293 Days and 13.7 Hours
Revised: March 19, 2014
Accepted: July 15, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Processing time: 293 Days and 13.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the only bacterium that has been linked to cancer to date. The efficacy of antibiotic-based eradication treatment is hampered by antibiotic resistance and side effects that may reduce patient compliance. No vaccine is currently licensed. Thus, administration of alternative compounds that may increase the efficacy of the treatment and/or reduce side effects is of particular interest. Administration of probiotics has been proposed to increase tolerability and efficacy of the H. pylori eradication treatment. The results of the most recent clinical trials seem to confirm these hypotheses.